
July
15, 2008
STAR Needs You!
Fall
Session will begin soon and STAR is always looking for new volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering at STAR please
plan to attend volunteer training on Sunday, August 10 from 1:30pm-5:30pm.
The training for Jr. volunteers will be held on Tuesday, August
12 from 5pm-7pm. If you would like more information about volunteering
at STAR, you can contact Melissa Suadi at 865-988-4711.

STAR's
Bridles and Blue Jeans Fundraising Event is Huge Success!
STAR
hosted its 4th annual Bridles and Blue Jeans extravaganza at
their facility
in Loudon County on April 26th. This highly anticipated
invitation only event drew over 360 jean-clad guests. “This
is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We were extremely thrilled
to share and enjoy all the wonderful aspects of our new indoor
arena!” said founder and executive director Lynn Petr. Click
here to read the entire press release.
Indoor Arena Cutting
It all started
with one determined college student named Lynn Klimas, who had
a passion for horses and a love of teaching special
needs children. Blending the two together to make STAR what it
is today took overcoming many obstacles and much skepticism. Through
hard work, long hours and the support of family and friends, Lynn
encouraged her professors and the public to think outside the box
when it came to an alternative treatment to enhance traditional
therapy. In March 1987, STAR came to life as part of her Therapeutic
Recreation Master’s thesis project at the University of Tennessee,
Knoxville.
Fast forward
twenty-one years later to May 15th and the celebration of STAR’s Indoor Arena. “To see this many people here
to celebrate with us is truly wonderful and overwhelming! What
began as a program of five riders, one horse and one volunteer
and one instructor at the family farm is now a program with 130
riders each week, nine NARHA certified instructors, over 260 volunteers
and 24 horses/ponies. So much more than I ever thought was possible,” said
Founder and Executive Director Lynn Klimas-Petr.
The Indoor
Arena measures 80x200 and will allow STAR to double the therapeutic
riding space and offer welcome relief and protection
from the elements, which is especially vital to our medically fragile
riders. This magnificent structure will provide STAR with the opportunity
to offer seminars and host events, such as Bridles & Blue Jeans.
“We really have truly been blessed with helping hands on
all fronts with the personal commitment of many generous people
- foundations that have funded the program, professionals who offer
their services, people who have gifted, the generosity of those
who attend our fund raisers, and all those who volunteer their
time and talents. We will continue to provide a place where those
with disabilities and other special challenges can grow, learn
and become as independent as possible,” continued Lynn.
Ride-A-Thon A Huge Success!
The week of May 18th saw 73 riders (double from last year!) participating
in the 2008 STAR Ride-A-Thon. This event is a way for the riders
to help STAR by raising money to offset the actual cost of riding
sessions. Fun was the name of the game as riders rode an interactive
trail. The event raised over $15,841! Megan Ramsey was the grand
winner, bringing in $1,836. Every rider went home with a prize
(many donated by Smart Toys and Books) and great memories of a
fun-filled day.
Last Chance for Commemorative Bricks!
Commemorate
a special event in someone’s life, honor a friend
or family member, memorialize someone special or show your company’s
support with a STAR memorial brick. What a great way to say thank
you to a friend, mentor or family member!
The 4 x 8 bricks will line the sidewalk from the portico into
the administration building and continue on to the barn. They not
only look wonderful, but also will show our community support for
STAR! There is a limited amount of space available, so contact
Kristen Sanders at 988-4711.
STAR
is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation dedicated to providing
quality instruction in therapeutic horseback riding to disabled
persons. Since incorporating in 1987, STAR has grown to be the
largest program in East Tennessee.
Our mission is to foster personal achievement by providing therapeutic
experiences using horse related activities for persons with disabilities
or other special challenges.
Please
check out our web site and e-mail
us if you have questions.
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